Welcome to Intrepid Overland

The trip you have booked is operated by Dragoman, Intrepid’s trusted Overland partners.

Dragoman shares the Intrepid ethos for adventure travel and have over 28 years experience of operating Overland trips. Share an epic travel experience with like-minded people on an Overland trip. Travel in a purposebuilt expedition vehicle (or a converted school bus in North America) for an off-the-beaten-track adventure along rugged roads, where you can really experience the sights and sounds of the world up close.

You’re more than just a passenger while overlanding – we supply the gear and everyone mucks in to set up camp each day. Which means your adventure becomes more than just a holiday but an immersive experience where you feel part of a team. We teamed up with Dragoman over 28 years ago, as they shared our philosophy of travel and commitment to responsible travel, and are the experts in providing the unique and special experience that is an overlanding trip. What follows are some of the things that make our Overland journeys unique.

Group size

You’ll be part of a group of up to 22 people of all ages and nationalities, all who share a passion for travel.

Meals

There’s nothing quite like eating around a camp fire, especially under a star-filled sky. When camping you will be divided into smaller groups of 3 to 4 people and take it in turns to plan the meal, shop for ingredients in local markets or supermarkets and cook for the whole group. Cook groups are responsible for communal equipment but you are responsible for washing your own utensils.

On the truck

Our trucks are designed to take us around the world and into areas that the usual buses or coaches can’t go. In most cases, your truck have roof seats and opening windows to keep you in touch with the countries you’re travelling in. But be aware that because they are expedition vehicles, there is no air-conditioning, no curtains, limited heating, high steps and the ride will be bumpy at times.

Accommodation

The accommodation you stay in depends on the style of Overland adventure you choose. Often you’ll be camping out in the wild, but on some adventures you may stay in hotels or lodges. When camping, you’ll sometimes stay at official campsites and make use of the facilities, while other times you’ll pitch your tent in the bush, experiencing the beauty of a region up close. Upgrades are often possible at campsites and in towns.

Our Overland trips are designed for multi-share accommodation, whether camping or staying in hotels, and so don’t have a single supplement. For those travelling solo, you’ll share with someone of the same gender.

Our crew and guides

All our trips are generally run by two western trip leaders who are passionate about travelling and will ensure your trip is both enjoyable and safe. Your leader will provide practical information about the places you’re travelling through and offer suggestions for things to see and do.

While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a general knowledge of the places you visit. And to ensure you get the best in local knowledge, we also employ local guides at sites of interest. In addition, on many of our Africa and Asia trips, we have a third local crew. It’s also good to keep in mind that our crew have to spend time driving and maintaining the overland truck.

The kitty

The kitty is a group fund and forms part of the total cost of your trip. It is an amount that is paid on the ground when the trip starts and put into a central pool that is monitored by the Dragoman crew. It is used by the trip leader to fund accommodation, meals while camping and activities that the group take part in as a whole (that are listed as included in the itinerary). The kitty price is constantly updated throughout the year due to fluctuations in exchange rates and variation in local costs. It is important you check the most recent estimate on the website shortly before departure to ensure that you take the correct amount.

Itineraries

Our itineraries are based on our intentions, but travel in more remote parts of the world is unpredictable – borders can close, there can be extreme adverse weather, strikes or maybe mechanical issues that affect the running of your trip. But, on the flip side, we can often spontaneously include a local festival, additional time at a beach (a popular group request) or a detour to a local school into the itinerary.

Health

You have to be reasonably fit to fully participate in one of our trips, as they do require some level of active participation. To make sure you choose a trip that meets your fitness level, please look carefully at the physical rating on our website. Also check with your doctor to see if any pre-existing medical conditions or medication you are taking will affect your ability to fully participate in the trip.